Starsky & Hutch Advent Calendar 2018

Chapter One

Thompson County Deputy Dave Lombard took one last unhurried cruise through the small town before he packed it in and headed home to his wife. The sheriff had told him to knock off for the night but, for some reason, he’d felt compelled to take this final tour. Not that anything ever happened in Thompsonville, other than the occasional domestic dispute or petty theft from the hardware store. But he took his responsibilities seriously since, when he logged out, only the other deputy, Stan, would be available to take care of any problems that might arise.

One sheriff and two deputies were, in most instances, enough to police the small county and smaller community, but Dave had been more uneasy than usual and something had kept him in his patrol car, making the rounds. When he’d stopped at the gas station’s pay phone and called his wife, Pam, to say he’d be a little late, she had said she’d wait up.

As he crossed the town’s main intersection, headed for the sheriff’s office, and his own wheels, he smiled. It happened every time he looked at the decorations the town council had hung on the light poles: large, sparkly, white cutouts of snowflakes. In addition, each of the storefronts had garlands and tiny lights displayed inside and out, giving off a nice holiday spirit. They were all on timers and would go off at midnight so he knew it wasn’t quite that late yet. Due to his persistent memory loss, Dave couldn’t remember any specific Christmases but he knew, somehow, that it was his favorite holiday.
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